“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways’, declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts’.” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
The reason we have such frustrating times trying to figure out God is that we can’t. He just doesn’t think like we think. Its not for God to make sense to us, but that our minds are conformed to His way of thinking. We’re the ones who must change and repent, not God.
Paul tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds(Romans 12:2). We are to put on the new man (Colossians 3:10). We are to trust not in our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).
The next time you’re asking God to do things your way, be sure to ask God to show you His way.
“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will freely pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7).
Isaiah 55 is an Invitation chapter. God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah. Note that although this is still the Old Testament, the appeal is for sinners to repent and come to Christ. God has never desired to pour His wrath out against mankind. But His righteousness and justice requires that He take action. Jesus was His ultimate step of action to redeem sinners like us. Let’s rest in that.
The Preacher (author of Ecclesiastes) says that his life was extremely successful and prosperous. Then he adds, “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11).
Sound familiar? We spend our lifetime chasing success in this world. But can take none of it with us. When all is said and done in this life, what is life really all about? Jesus said, “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26a).
Some years back a successful businessman was diagnosed with cancer. He left the doctor’s office and drove straight to Feller’s Funeral Home in Waterloo, where he made arrangements. Although this man was Roman Catholic, when he exited the funeral home, his attention was captured by our church right across the street. He drove straight over and talked with me. I led him to the Lord that day. When God got his attention, he realized none of his “stuff” really mattered.
Are you “chasing after the wind” or have you found your life’s purpose?
Special thanks for the MOPS gals who showed up to provide popcorn and drinks for the ‘Time Changer’ movie at New Hope last night. Everyone had a good time and we were challenged by the concepts presented in the film.
I’m always proud of the folks in our church who do more than watch; they actually serve. I appreciate the men who show up early to clear snow and spread salt. I appreciate the people who staff our children’s ministry and give guidance to little ones in the nursery. I value the men and women who mold moral character in boys in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venture Crew.
Those who lead small groups for fellowship and Bible study are amazing parts of the body of Christ. Our Ushers and Greeters have a special role to play in making people feel at home. And our worship team participants are great team players. I love volunteers who help out where needed as a service to the church. Their rewards will be great.
Where are you serving? Where would you like to serve? Remember that you’ll get nothing out of church unless you put something in.
“And John answered, and said, ‘Master, we saw one casting out demons in Thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not with us’. And Jesus said unto him, ‘Forbid him not; for he that is not against us is for us’.” (Luke 9:49-50).
Why is it that Christians divide themselves into political camps just like the world does? We each tend to think of the way our local church does things is God’s way and the church down the street has it all wrong. Christians sometimes expend more energy competing with each other than fighting evil.
Jesus makes it clear that we are to be working together in casting out demons. Isn’t the goal of the Kingdom to “undo” the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Does it really matter if the deliverance comes from someone at New Hope, a Catholic priest, or a secular counselor?
We Christians need to see ourselves in partnership in helping others overcome Satan in this world. Let’s stand together.
Agree or disagree?
Anita has nagged me for two weeks. First she smelled urine in the clothes dryer. I couldn’t smell anything. Later she smelled a stench like rotting flesh in the dryer. I smelled it but I wasn’t sure that what it smelled like was something dead, but something similar. Finally last night it smelled really nasty so I pulled the clothes dryer out and pulled the vent pipe. There were two very dead and really smelly mice in there. I presume their nest was in the vent tube, but I didn’t spend much time looking. The entire tube went in the garbage for a fitting burial.
But, how did two mice get into that closed system? We haven’t had any signs of them in the house, and the outside vent is not accessible from the ground. Its a profound mystery. Fortunately, Anita cooked them drying clothes before the next generation arrived. We’re checking again in the morning to ensure there are no more in the dryer itself. But we got ’em!
God told the Israelites that their insincere worship was a stench in His nostrils. I’ll bet it smelled like those two mice with no escape. I’m glad Jesus accepts my worship just as I am.
Have you ever cooked a mouse before?
One of the great scientists of our day was Thomas Edison. He studied how things worked and put a systematic strategy together to invent new things. Listen to his wisdom:
“I know this world is ruled by Infinite Intelligence. Everything that exists proves that there are infinite laws behind it. There can be no denying this fact. It is mathematical in its precision”.
Scientists make new discoveries everyday by applying these never-changing infinite laws. So, its obvious that it is faith that reveals Who this Infinite Intelligence is, not the new discoveries. The Laws of Physics and Science should be pointing us to God, not away. That just makes sense.
As Solomon wrote, “Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?” (Proverbs 8:1).